Ancelotti Praises João Pedro and Estêvão, Criticizes Heat During Club World Cup Matches

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti voiced both praise and concern after attending the Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, where he commended the performances of several young Brazilian talents while criticizing the extreme heat that impacted the tournament’s overall quality.

Weather Conditions Blamed for Lack of Intensity

Speaking to the press following the match between Chelsea and PSG, Ancelotti pointed out that oppressive heat conditions throughout the competition affected the physical level of play.

“It was a World Cup heavily influenced by the extremely hot weather. For this reason, there were no matches of great physical intensity,” he said, noting that the slower pace benefited defensive units and limited individual brilliance.

Young Brazilians Shine Despite Conditions

Despite the challenges, Ancelotti praised a handful of Brazilian players for their standout performances. He highlighted João Pedro and Andrey Santos, both of Chelsea, as being key to the club’s title run. João Pedro scored in the final, while Andrey contributed significantly in the midfield throughout the tournament.

The coach also acknowledged the return of Éder Militão, who made his comeback after an eight-month injury layoff and is expected to be vital for Brazil’s 2025 campaign.

In addition, Estêvão, the 17-year-old Palmeiras forward, caught Ancelotti’s eye with his individual performance even though his team didn’t reach the final.

“I think Estêvão played very well individually,” said Ancelotti, who has reportedly been tracking the youngster for months.

Brazilian Clubs Earn Coach’s Approval

The Italian coach also evaluated the Brazilian clubs’ overall performances in the tournament positively.

“Fluminense had a great campaign, and Botafogo beat PSG. Palmeiras and Flamengo also showed they can compete with the best European teams,” Ancelotti observed.

Focus Shifts to September Qualifiers

Ancelotti is expected to begin drawing up plans for Brazil’s next squad selection for the September 2025 World Cup Qualifying window. Performances in the Club World Cup, especially those from young stars, could weigh heavily in upcoming call-ups.